Myrtle Beach Community Shaken After Late-Night Shooting at Popular Ocean Boulevard Restaurant Leaves One Dead and One Injured
MYRTLE BEACH, SC — A tragic shooting late Friday night inside one of Myrtle Beach’s most iconic beachfront eateries has left one person dead and another injured, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting an active investigation by local law enforcement. The incident unfolded inside Peaches Corner, a well-known restaurant situated at 900 N. Ocean Boulevard, just after 11:15 p.m. on June 28, 2025.
According to initial reports from the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the incident was sparked by a confrontation between a restaurant employee and an armed customer who entered the establishment with a firearm already drawn. The ensuing moments, though brief, were chaotic and devastating. The employee, apparently reacting in self-defense, drew a weapon of his own and discharged it multiple times, striking the customer a total of five times. Authorities have since confirmed that the individual who entered with the weapon died either at the scene or shortly afterward from gunshot wounds.
A second person was also injured during the exchange of gunfire. That individual was quickly transported to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to survive, with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Law enforcement officials have not yet released the names of those involved, pending notification of family members and continued investigative efforts.
A Popular Gathering Spot Turns Into a Scene of Violence
Peaches Corner, a staple of Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Boulevard since 1937, is a place many associate with family vacations, late-night meals, and a relaxed beachfront atmosphere. Located in the heart of the tourist strip, it’s known for serving up comfort food and coastal charm to both locals and visitors alike. On the night of the shooting, the restaurant was reportedly operating at typical capacity for a summer Friday, drawing a diverse mix of patrons.
Witnesses describe a normal evening turned suddenly chaotic. One diner recalled the moment shots rang out: “It happened so fast. One second we were eating, and the next there was shouting, and then gunfire. People were diving under tables and trying to get out. It was terrifying.”
Police units responded swiftly following the initial 911 calls reporting shots fired. Within minutes, Myrtle Beach officers had arrived at the scene, secured the area, and began tending to the injured. The restaurant was placed on lockdown while officers worked to determine what had happened. The area surrounding 900 N. Ocean Boulevard was also temporarily cordoned off, causing significant disruption to nearby businesses and pedestrian traffic as investigators collected evidence.
What Authorities Know So Far
The Myrtle Beach Police Department has indicated that the altercation was triggered by an aggressive act from a customer who entered the establishment already brandishing a weapon. That initial threat is believed to have prompted the employee’s armed response. Investigators are currently reviewing surveillance footage from the restaurant and surrounding areas to piece together a clearer timeline of events.
Ballistic evidence was collected at the scene, and several witnesses have already provided statements to police. Officials have said that one individual has been taken into custody in connection with the shooting. However, it remains unclear if that person is the employee who discharged the weapon or another party linked to the incident. Charges have not yet been confirmed, as investigators work to determine whether the use of force qualifies as justifiable self-defense under South Carolina law.
Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock issued a brief statement Saturday morning, urging the public to remain calm and patient as the investigation unfolds. “This was a tragic and highly volatile situation,” she said. “Our department is committed to thoroughly investigating every aspect of what occurred at Peaches Corner. We understand the community is shaken, and we are working diligently to provide answers and ensure public safety.”
Growing Questions and Community Reactions
As news of the shooting spread throughout Myrtle Beach and beyond, reactions have ranged from sorrow to concern to outrage. For many residents and business owners along Ocean Boulevard, the shooting felt like a violation of a space that has long been regarded as welcoming and safe, even late at night.
“This place has been here forever,” said one local resident. “You never think something like this could happen inside Peaches. It just breaks your heart.”
Tourists who had planned visits to the area this weekend expressed concern over safety, and some business owners reported a brief drop in foot traffic on Saturday morning. However, by mid-afternoon, crowds had returned to the boulevard, though the emotional weight of the tragedy remained palpable.
While violence is not unheard of in Myrtle Beach, particularly during the busy summer months when tourism surges, this particular incident struck a nerve due to its location and the age-old reputation of the establishment involved.
City officials have not yet made public statements about whether additional security or public safety initiatives will be introduced in response to the shooting. However, it is likely the event will spark renewed discussions about nightlife safety, weapon possession laws, and the responsibilities of employees and business owners when it comes to self-defense.
Legal Implications and Investigative Progress
South Carolina has a “Stand Your Ground” law, which permits individuals to use deadly force in self-defense without a duty to retreat if they believe they are at risk of severe bodily harm or death. Whether this law applies to the employee’s actions in this incident will be determined as the investigation progresses.
Legal experts consulted by local media outlets have emphasized that each self-defense case is deeply dependent on facts, witness accounts, and physical evidence. Surveillance video, eyewitness testimony, and forensics from the crime scene will all play crucial roles in determining whether the shooting will be ruled as a justified use of force or result in criminal charges.
In the meantime, detectives continue to collect evidence and coordinate with the coroner’s office to finalize official identifications and cause-of-death reports. Toxicology screening and autopsies are standard in such cases and will provide additional insight into the events leading up to the fatal confrontation.
Support and Healing for Those Affected
Though details remain under investigation, what is certain is the emotional toll left behind. Employees of Peaches Corner, many of whom consider one another family, are struggling to process what they experienced. Counseling resources are being made available to the staff, and local mental health professionals have offered support to patrons and others affected by the traumatic incident.
Some members of the public have called for a moment of silence or a vigil to honor the lives impacted by the shooting. While the individual who lost their life has not yet been publicly identified, the sense of loss is evident. Advocates for non-violence have issued statements encouraging unity and understanding as the community moves forward.
“We mourn any loss of life,” said one local pastor who has organized community response events in the past. “But we also need to ask ourselves how we prevent this from happening again. How do we create safer public spaces where employees don’t feel forced to choose between survival and tragedy?”
A Community on Edge, But Not Broken
Though the mood in Myrtle Beach is somber, it is also marked by resilience. The community has faced challenges before, and there is determination to learn from this tragedy and emerge stronger. Peaches Corner remains temporarily closed as the investigation continues, but its management has expressed intentions to reopen once the area is cleared and staff are ready to return.
City leaders are expected to hold a press conference in the coming days, providing updates and addressing public concerns. Until then, law enforcement remains stationed along Ocean Boulevard as a visible presence intended to reassure both residents and visitors.
This incident has opened a dialogue about safety, responsibility, and the unpredictable nature of conflict in public spaces. As that dialogue continues, Myrtle Beach stands united in grief and in hope—hope that steps will be taken to prevent such a tragedy from recurring, and that healing can begin for all whose lives were touched by the violence on what should have been a peaceful summer night.
Warm condolences go out to all families, friends, and community members affected by this tragedy. The Myrtle Beach Police Department urges anyone with information or who may have witnessed the events to contact them immediately, as even small details could be vital to understanding the full scope of what occurred.
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